Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-01-21
THE DEATH PENALTY.

Chief Justice Albert H. Horton, before
the bar association of this state last week
delivered very able and very fine address
in which he advocated the restoration of
the death penalty in Kansas In closing
his address he alluded to the awful tragedy
occurring on Main street in Wichita, clCs
ing AS follows:
As an illustration of the intercessiOns OF
relatives of convicts. for executive clemen-
cy. where no sufficient reasons exist, the
following among many others may be
cited: To frauduIently obtain 80, 900 from
life insurance company Il few years ago,
at Wichita. Arthur Winner. with an ac-
complete. murdered W w Sewer and
disfigurcd his lfeleSs body with fire and
flame The murder was committed with
the utmost elaboration. and WAS
one of the most horrible and
"a: b5arnus ever perpeirated: there were no
eXienuating circumstances. Winner was
subsequently, convicted of murder in the
fir-t degree and sentenced to be hung
This sentence WAS affirmed by the supreme
court Owing TO the peculiar provisions of
the statute, The sentence has not been and
t. be an inmate of the penitentiary His
relatives have applied for his discharge,
and this APP, lca'lon is now pending before
the board of pardoDs, but as yet no report
has been made thereon Ii is not likely.
with the clear heads of the able men now
90 uposing the board that any favorable
Recommendation will be given; Yet, who
Can tell but what ia the near future the in
H.
of This convicted murderer may not upon
their eX parte presentation of his case,
finally obtain his absolute release
Ii were = member of the legislature.
would advocate and vote for the restora-
ton of capital punishment for the reasons,
heretofore given. or course the law should
not be retroactive would have the
statute make it the duty of the court, in
pronouncing sentence of death, TO appoint
the time for its execution, and the warrant
to command the warden of the pententiary
10 cause execution Ia be done within The
prison grounds. The governor would still
have the power to pardon, commute or re-
spite.
After ample tine is allowed for crimi-
nal ease If This character Ia be reviewed
ani decided in the supreme court. whether
further delay of execution be advisable is
debatable. Ii too long time exists be
tween the conviction and punishment. the
crime which has been committed is likely
to be forgotten, and AN under<erved feeling
of pity is excited in the public in behalf
of the convict; in such case
the execution fails to he the warming which
il would be II i we're more speedy. In
most eases ii i important that punishment
should follow the crime - rHrh - posi-
bic: consistent With $ due regard fer jus
iice; that the qualification or advantage
which tempt> man 10 commit the crime
should instantly awake the attendant idea
of punishment; unnecessary delay Of exc
cuiion serves only 10 separate these Ideas.
In conclusion. adept the language Of
James 4 Garfield. delivered by him when
a member Of the United States congress,
soon after The death IF the msriyred Lin
coin: Love is in front Of the throne OF
God: but justice and judgment, with mex
orable dread. fellow behind. This nation
il too great too look for mere revenge; bu,
fer the good OF the future | would do
everything